Sharing is caring, and this small gem of a board book is a delight to share with little listeners.
Two bunnies but only one carrot—what to do? This engaging die-cut board book shows the way!
The book is populated by seven different pairs of animals and people, the duos and their expressive faces each performing a tiny, two-page drama, perfect for the toddler set. Two frustrated mice eye each other over a coveted chunk of cheese, their mouths dipped low and bodies adversarially positioned. A page turn and a little die-cut magic evenly split the tasty treat, and the mice are reconciled, their bodies now mirrored, grinning with circular ears overlapped and eyes blissfully closed. The book flawlessly culminates with two human children struggling for Mommy’s attention. Clever Mommy envelops the two halves into one whole inside a big hug. All three present White. For caregivers, accompanying short, straightforward sentences such as “Let’s each have a piece” are ideal for modeling social skills. Die cuts also nicely demonstrate early fraction concepts as friendly brown bears divide grapes or kittens cut a fish in half. The animals are striking and approachable, made of bubbly shapes bordered by thick, irregular black lines and filled with brightly saturated colors. A small, thick cardboard trim size is perfect for toddler hands, and the die cuts are sturdy.
Sharing is caring, and this small gem of a board book is a delight to share with little listeners. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-66265-000-0
Page Count: 20
Publisher: minedition
Review Posted Online: Sept. 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2020
A soothing bedtime reminder of a parent’s unconditional love.
Grammy Award–winning singer/songwriter Monét’s picture-book debut reassures the very young that their caregivers are always watching over them.
A smiling yellow star watches the equally cheerful moon; both are heavily anthropomorphized, with eyelashes for the moon and pink cheeks for the star. A page turn reveals the star, now downcast and in the corner of a mostly dark spread: “Sometimes the sky is dark and you can’t see the moon at all.” The following spread, depicting a sparkly sky with both characters back in view, reminds children that the moon is there, even when it’s not visible: “Think of me as the moon / It’s always in the sky / Just like I will forever be / a bright light in your life.” Both orbs beam. “I’ll always be your moon / You’ll always be my star / Just keep me in your heart and / I’ll be everywhere you are.” This becomes the refrain after a few more verses that continue the theme of the moon as a metaphor for emotionally present, ever-loving caregivers. Little ones will happily repeat the words as they’re lulled to sleep. The book ends with a heartfelt dedication from the author to her daughter and to parents who balance caregiving duties with careers. Monét notes that she set out to show children that their parents’ devotion endures no matter what—a goal achieved by both text and art.
A soothing bedtime reminder of a parent’s unconditional love. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: June 24, 2025
ISBN: 9780593698419
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
SEEN & HEARD
A good choice for caregivers looking for a positive, uncomplicated introduction to a new baby that focuses on everything an...
A little boy exults in his new role as big brother.
Rhyming text describes the arrival of a new baby and all of the big brother’s rewarding new duties. He gets to help with feedings, diaper changes, playtime, bathtime, and naptime. Though the rhyming couplets can sometimes feel a bit forced and awkward, the sentiment is sweet, as the focus here never veers from the excitement and love a little boy feels for his tiny new sibling. The charming, uncluttered illustrations convincingly depict the growing bond between this fair-skinned, rosy-cheeked, smiling pair of boys. In the final pages, the parents, heretofore kept mostly out of view, are pictured holding the children. The accompanying text reads: “Mommy, Daddy, baby, me. / We love each other—a family!” In companion volume I Am a Big Sister, the little boy is replaced with a little girl with bows in her hair. Some of the colors and patterns in the illustrations are slightly altered, but it is essentially the same title.
A good choice for caregivers looking for a positive, uncomplicated introduction to a new baby that focuses on everything an older sibling can do to help. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-545-68886-4
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Cartwheel/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015
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